When Chris Sale started to slide in the first round of the draft because of signability, it was a surprise that the thrifty White Sox were the team that selected him. Now comes a bigger surprise: the first- or second-rated college pitcher on most draft boards has agreed to terms for a bonus equal to MLB’s bonus recommendation for his No. 13 slot a year ago: $1.656 million.

Sale will take a physical on Monday and likely will sign his deal on Tuesday. He’s the highest-drafted player to agree to terms so far this summer. … While Sale will get less money than anticipated, the White Sox will give him every opportunity to crash their big league bullpen, perhaps as early as August. He’ll initially report to high Class A Winston-Salem, with an anticipated promotion to Triple-A Charlotte in mid-July. After spending this summer as a reliever, he’ll work in the Arizona Fall League as a starter and get the opportunity to make Chicago’s rotation in spring training next year.

As for the perceived discount the Sox might have received by agreeing to terms less than two weeks after the draft, Sale has a chance to more than make up any difference with a major league promotion that would start his service time clock.

In addition, that also would include a placement on the 40-man roster with a chance to make the major league team out of spring training in 2011.

Inside the Pick: Every draft has one player who takes a surprising fall, and this year it was Sale. For the player some thought was the best college pitcher in the draft to fall to 13th overall is a massive get for the White Sox.What He is: Sale is the rare pitcher who combines size (6-foot-6), velocity (up to 96 mph), and plus command from the left side. His changeup was among the best in the draft, and he consistently dominated week after week, including in his few starts against top-notch competition.What He is Not: Sale’s low three-quarters arm slot gives some scouts concern. It prevents him from being able to get around on his slider, and gives right-handed hitters a very long look at the ball.Path with the White Sox: Sale shouldn’t have too many problems at the lower levels based solely on his velocity and command. If he can find a dependable breaking ball, he has a chance to really move quickly.

Comments: This tall right-hander was creating a lot of buzz later in the spring when reports of him touching 98 mph spread like wildfire. His secondary stuff isn’t as good as the heater, though his curve ball has improved this year and his changeup has a chance to be a decent offering. There’s not a ton of life in the fastball, but he throws without much effort. People were pouring in to see him late, and that kind of arm strength tends to do very well in the Draft.

Comments: Heading into the spring, the thought was that Reed would be one of the more sought-after college relievers in the class, but the San Diego State product was stretched out over the winter in order to be the team’s Friday starter. He has performed even better than most could have expected, showing the ability to throw three pitches and adjusting easily to the role. A broken pinky on his pitching hand slowed him down for a few weeks, but presuming he picks up where he left off, Reed is likely a college arm moving up draft boards everywhere. Enhanced Scouting Report

June 15, 2010

As Sale himself tells it, “My freshman year I really struggled. I was having trouble getting outs. There was a span where I was pitching good, but during mid-summer my fastball was really flat. I kind of hit the wall.”

… “I was talking with some of the coaches there and they were saying you can’t keep doing the same thing you’re doing, you have to try something different,” Sale said. “So I dropped down and tried a different arm slot (a three-quarters delivery). I saw immediate results with it. It was night and day. My velocity went up, I got the most out of my change-up, and I got better with the slider.”

… “What the change in arm angle did was create movement and sink on his pitches,“ Tollett said. “He had the belief now that he could get it done. I started putting him in situations where he could be successful, where he didn’t have to worry about results. Then I put him in some big ball games and started to see what his future could look like.”

… “I’m stoked to start my career,” Sale said. “I know Ozzie Guillen is a crazy manager, but I feel like I’m really going to get along with this guy. He wouldn’t have that crazy reputation if he weren’t competitive like I am. I just want to be one of the main guys they depend on and eventually win the World Series, which is everything.”

Morehead State graduate and former baseball player J.D. Ashbrook has signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox. Ashbrook has been assigned to Bristol Sox, Chicago’s rookie level (Appalachian League) farm team in Bristol, Va. He will join MSU teammate Drew Lee, who was drafted by the White Sox in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft last week.

The Eagles’ leading hitter this past season, Ashbrook capped his career by hitting .432 with 82 hits, 69 runs (a mark that was in the top five nationally), 15 doubles, 18 home runs and 55 RBI. He led Morehead State and ranked in the top three in the Ohio Valley Conference in five offensive categories (batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored and home runs). He earned First Team All-OVC honors and was a Ping! Baseball Third Team All-American.

June 14, 2010

Q: Which players drafted in the first or sandwich rounds will become their team’s No. 1 overall prospect as soon as they sign?

A: … In fact, after the top three choices, I only see two more draftees who would immediately become their organization’s best prospect. I believe in Florida Gulf Coast lefthander Chris Sale’s (No. 13, White Sox) durability and ability to remain a starter, so I’d take him over Tyler Flowers and Dan Hudson with the White Sox. I have no worries about Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox’s (No. 25, Cardinals) power or ability to remain at the hot corner, so I’d choose him over Shelby Miller. However, both of those are close calls and there are a number of clubs that did have concerns about Sale and Cox.

The Chris Sale pick was solid, but there is not a lot to like about the rest of the draft. I like Addison Reed and Rangel Ravelo looks like an interesting prospect, but I don’t see a great deal to get excited about.

June 13, 2010

It’s rare that the Sox draft a high school middle infielder as high as the 11th round, but they’re making a serious effort to sign Chaparral (Ariz.) shortstop James McDonald. McDonald said that he’s not sure whether to start his professional career or fulfill a scholarship offer from Arizona State. “I’m weighing a few things right now,” McDonald said. McDonald recently graduated from the same school that produced Paul Konerko.

Tampa trio signs: Three players drafted out of the University of Tampa signed with the White Sox: C Mike Blanke (14th round), 1B/DH Mike Schwartz (17th) and RHP Austin Evans (23rd), a former Chamberlain High standout.

The Sox went back to Tampa to grab the Sunshine Conference Player of the Year. Schwartz was also a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez award, presented annually to the nation’s top Division-II player. He hit .415 and set a school record while leading the nation with 75 walks. So it only goes to figure he had an impressive OBP [.596]. Schwartz finished with 11 homers and 55 RBIs.

Friday was a very special day for former East Burke baseball standout Ethan Icard. It was the day his dream of playing professional baseball came true. Icard, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox on Friday evening. He will begin his professional career when he reports to the Bristol, Va. White Sox of the Rookie League on Wednesday.

… Icard spent the last two seasons playing at Wilkes Community College. In 2010, he was 8-4 overall with a 4.14 ERA. In 87 innings, he struck out 93 batters. In 2009, Icard posted a 9-3 overall pitching record with a 3.40 ERA. He had 68 strikeouts in 79 innings pitched.

June 11, 2010

The White Sox were known to be targeting college pitchers, and they picked four of them to start their draft. BA’s top-rated lefthander, slender strike-thrower LHP Chris Sale (1), fell to them at No. 13 overall. He had a 10-1 strikeout-walk ratio and could move quickly with his plus fastball and changeup and improved slider. He could be an absolute steal with a double-digit pick. RHPs Jacob Petricka (2), Addison Reed (3) and Thomas Royse (3s) give them three solid righthanded options, with Reed a potential fast riser if he moves back to a relief role. The position-player crop offers less upside, with hard-hitting junior-college 2B Joe Terry (8) and toolsy SS Tyler Saladino (7) the most intriguing prospects.

1) Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast University: No one expected Sale to fall this far, 13th overall. He’s a steal in this slot. Although his delivery is unconventional, he repeats it well and I’m not convinced that his injury risk is any higher than any other pitcher.

2) Jacob Petricka, RHP, Indiana State University: Raw before this year, Petricka improved his mechanics this year and got his fastball up to 98 MPH at times. He still needs refinement, but has a lot of potential as a relief arm.

3) Addison Reed, RHP,San Diego State: Very polished, Reed throws 89-92 as a starter but hit the mid-90s when used as a closer in ’09. He has a good slider and changeup. If used in rotation, he looks like a number three or four starter, but if he moves to the pen he could move very fast as a closer through the system.

3S) Thomas Royse, RHP, University of Louisville: Another polished arm, with a 90 MPH fastball and a workable slider and changeup.

But Hollis does have what Simonds called a “plus-plus fastball” that runs in the 92-93 mph range. “In the minor leagues, the focus is a little more on development,” Simonds said. “In college, we have a limited number of games. “He’s got some good run on his fastball,” he said of Hollis. “If he picks up a couple miles on his fastball and picks up a second pitch, gets more consistency with his change-up or curve, who knows what will happen?” Hollis said he agrees that his “arm strength” is what attracted the scouts, “that and a little bit of athleticism.”

Hollis said he has talked with a White Sox scout and is waiting for the contract papers in the mail. “I’m definitely signing, for sure,” he said. “Right now I’m just sitting back and being patient.”